Lyric Opera Auditions

Thank you for your interest in auditioning for Lyric Opera of Chicago. Here you will find current audition opportunities across the company.

Singers and instrumentalists wishing to receive audition information from Lyric Opera of Chicago or The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center may contact the appropriate administrators as follows:

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is pleased to announce that applications are open for the following Ensemble positions:

2024/25 Ensemble Singers 

Apply Now for 2024/25 Singers

2024/25 Ensemble singer applications are now being accepted. Applications are free and must be submitted via YAP Tracker. If you do not have a YAP Tracker account, register for free at www.yaptracker.com. 

The approximate contract dates for the 2024/25 Ensemble are May 6, 2024 through April 20, 2025 (to be confirmed), with an option for renewal as the positions are expected to have a two-year residency. Apply today through YAP Tracker and find application details here.

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is an equal opportunity employer/program. The Ryan Opera Center encourages qualified artists from historically underrepresented groups, including but not limited to those who identify as Black, Indigenous, or a Person of Color, to apply for its Ensemble.

For questions, please contact Susanna McNatt, Ryan Opera Center Manager, smcnatt@lyricopera.org, 312-827-3510.

Some productions may require individuals with special talents to perform on stage, including:

• Ballet
• Children's Chorus
• Supernumeraries ("extras")
• Actors

Auditions for these roles are conducted on an "as needed" basis only; to find out about current/upcoming opportunities, please call the Audition Hotline at 312.827.3548.

 

Lyric Opera of Chicago will hold auditions for solo dancers with significant stage experience for its upcoming production of La fille du régiment, by Gaetano Donizetti. The production was originally staged by acclaimed director Laurent Pelly. Karine Girard is the choreographer and August Tye is the ballet mistress.

La fille du régiment is casting 10 male-presenting dancers and 1 male-presenting cover. The revival choreographer, Karine Girard is seeking dancers with exceptional ability in modern technique with strong musicality and rhythm. Applicants must also be strong actors. Dancers of all ethnicities are encouraged to apply.

Rehearsals will begin October 9, 2023, with seven (7) performances running from Saturday, November 4 through Saturday, November 25, 2023.

The deadline to register for this audition is Thursday, March, 30, at 5:00pm CT

The schedule for Thursday, April 6 is as follows:

• 9:00 am Check-in: must arrive by 9:30am
• 10:00 am Warm-up class
• 11:00 am Audition begins: should conclude no later than 5:00 pm, likely earlier

 

Due to COVID-19, Lyric currently implemented a mandatory vaccination policy. Applicants must show proof of vaccination, including a booster shot if eligible, in order to audition. We will keep applicants/hires updated if the policy changes.

For further information on audition requirements and registration, please email your résumé and headshot via attachment to balletaud@lyricopera.org. Auditions will be by invitation only.

Please be prepared to show a government-issued photo identification card to gain access to the audition. All applicants must have valid eligibility to work in the United States. Lyric Opera will not apply for working permits for foreign dancers.

Artists at Lyric Opera of Chicago are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists. Should you be hired for La fille du régiment you will be required to join this union, if you are not already a member.

The Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Lyric Opera of Chicago does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

Chorus Auditions
2023/2024 Season
Lyric Opera of Chicago

Lyric Opera of Chicago is holding chorus auditions in all voice categories for singers who are prepared for professional careers. Auditions will be held in Chicago and in New York City.

General Director: Anthony Freud
Music Director: Enrique Mazzola
Chorus Master: Michael Black
Special Projects Advisor: Renée Fleming 

 

Preliminary Auditions (Chicago):

Chicago auditions will take place at Civic Opera House (20 N Wacker Drive, Chicago) on the following dates:

• Monday, April 3, 2023, 3:00-6:00pm
• Tuesday, April 4, 2023, 4:30-7:30pm
• Wednesday, April 5, 2023, 11-1:30pm
• Saturday, April 8, 2023, 11:00am-2:00pm

 

Preliminary Auditions (New York):

New York auditions will take place at the National Opera Center (330 7th Ave, 7th Floor, New York, NY) on the following date:

• Thursday, April 6, 2023, 11-2pm

Applicants must sing a preliminary audition to be considered for a callback audition. Please note that callback auditions are not always requested of singers in consideration for contracts.

 

Callback Auditions (Chicago):

• Saturday, April 8, 2022 3:00-6:00pm

 

Auditions are by invitation only:

Please ensure materials are received no later than 5:00pm CDT on Monday, March 27, 2023. Late applications will not be considered.

For audition consideration, singers must submit:

• Current résumé
• Headshot
• Proof of vaccination (including booster shot)
• Letter that states your first, second and third preferences of audition dates
• Contact information for two references of recognized musical authority with whom you have worked. Please ensure your references are notified that Lyric may contact them.

 

Please email the above to:
choraud@lyricopera.org

OR mail to:

Chorus Auditions Coordinator
Lyric Opera of Chicago
20 N Wacker Drive, Suite 860
Chicago, IL 60606

 

Audition Requirements:

Successful applicants must be prepared to present two, memorized opera arias in different languages.

Auditionees must be United States citizens OR possess, at the time of the audition, legal permission to work in the United States of America during the rehearsal and performance period.

Lyric Opera of Chicago employs a professional chorus under an AGMA (American Guild of Musical Artists) contract and pays competitive wages. You need not be a union member to audition.

 

Rehearsal and Performance Period:

The 2023/2024 performance season runs from September 23 through November 26, 2023 and January 21 through April 7, 2024. Rehearsals will begin in August. A full (tentative) schedule of rehearsals and performances will be provided prior to the commencement of rehearsals.

 

The Lyric Opera of Chicago is committed to creating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. Lyric Opera of Chicago does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability, parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable laws. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

 

For More Information:
choraud@lyricopera.org
Lyric Opera audition hotline: (312) 827-3548

Enrique Mazzola, Music Director Announces the following vacancy: Principal Clarinet

Auditions to be held May 25-28, 31, 2023

In the 2023/24 season, the successful candidate may receive:

• 20-week contract (end of August – early April)
• Base rate, overscale, and vacation pay to equal $87,000

Lyric Opera and the Chicago Federation of Musicians are negotiating a new collective bargaining agreement in the spring/summer of 2023.

For further information, and to receive audition materials, please email: orchaud@lyricopera.org

To audition, please send your resume and a $50.00 refundable deposit to*:
Lyric Opera of Chicago Orchestra Auditions
Principal Clarinet
20 North Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

*Please note that audition times will be granted upon receipt of $50.00 deposit.

HIGHLY QUALIFIED APPLICANTS ONLY
Vacancies resulting from the selection of a current Lyric Opera Orchestra member for any position may be filled at this time by any other applicant who advances to the finals in these auditions.

Lyric Opera of Chicago's music staff consists of cover conductors, répétiteurs, and prompters. If you you like to be considered for a position on Lyric Opera's music staff, please email your résumé and references to orchaud@lyricopera.org. If you are interested in cover conducting and have conducting reels available to you, please be sure to include them.

Alternate contact information is:
Lyric Opera of Chicago
Music Staff Auditions
20 N. Wacker Drive, Ste. 860
Chicago, IL 60606

Lyric grants auditions for principal roles to professional opera singers on an invitation-only basis. The artist's management should contact Lyric's Artistic Administrator or email soloaud@lyricopera.org with requests for an audition.

To obtain an information packet about becoming a supernumerary at Lyric Opera of Chicago, please send your information to Bill Walters, super captain, at bwalters@lyricopera.org.

For additional information, please call the supernumerary hotline at 312.827.3538.

There are no Lyric Unlimited auditions currently scheduled.

There are no musical theater auditions currently scheduled.

Photo: Todd Rosenberg